Helping Hand

Volunteers band together to prevent wildfire risk

The 77-year-old widow stood on her porch Wednesday, listening to the drone of chainsaws while watching volunteers clear large deadwood trees, thick underbrush and creeping vines from her Wasp Creek Road property north of Boerne.

“They are cleaning up my yard, making it less susceptible to embers from wildfire,” said Kathleen, who asked that her last name not be used. “I just can’t believe how blessed I am that they have been here and they’ve been so wonderful about doing this hard work.”

Star photos by Jeff B. Flinn The Hill Country Fire Coalition of Texas, joined by 15 students from Boerne High School, helped clear the property May 13 as part of the Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant program.

Christie Wiley, director of the coalition, helped coordinate Wednesday’s cleanup.

“What we’re focusing on today is using funding … the National Fire Protection Association gave us, focused on the house and 0-5 feet out,” Wiley said. “We’re here to help make the house more fire resilient.”

Wiley’s volunteers cleared the 5-foot radius around the home of anything posing a fire hazard, and also felled several big trees lost to oak wilt while clearing shrubs, grasses, plants, vines and branches.

When fire spreads, it consumes the most abundant and available fuel, the volunteers said.

Wiley added that education is as important to the program as preventive efforts.

“Just the fact that (homeowners) are not cognizant to the threat posed by bushes being up too high, that they are up against the windows,” she said. A fire could consume those bushes and limbs, heat up and shatter or melt glass, creating another entry point for fire.

The Boerne High seniors joined the effort as part of the school’s annual Senior Service Day, which is set aside for pupils to give back to the community.

In recognition of the need for wildfire readiness, County Judge Shane Stolarczyk and the Kendall County Commissioners Court proclaimed May 2 as Wildfire Community Preparedness Day and May 13 as the 2026 WCPD project day.

Coalition leaders said the proclamation highlights the shared responsibility residents, community organizations and local government all play in reducing wildfire risk.

“The work property owners do today directly affects how safely and effectively firefighters can respond tomorrow,” said a statement from the coalition.

The coalition set in motion the Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant program this year.

“We’re trying to help people that need the financial assistance or physically can no longer do the work, around their home – give them an opportunity to apply for a small grant where we can help them do the work on the ground.”

Kathleen said the community coming together — from retirees to high school seniors — touched her heart.

“It’s just a miracle. I just can’t do this anymore,” said Kathleen, who lost her husband eight years ago. “This is truly a blessing.”

“We’re here to help make the house more fire resilient.”

— Christie Wiley, Hill Country Fire Coalition of Texas